Report: Red Sox Decline Option on Alex Gonzalez

Alex Gonzalez might be a member of the Red Sox in 2010, but he won’t be at a salary of $6 million. The Red Sox declined the $6 million team option on Gonzalez on Sunday, The Boston Globe reports.

Two days after the Red Sox reportedly lost out on shortstop J.J. Hardy to the Minnesota Twins, the team chose to not exercise its option on Gonzalez. However, the Red Sox could still bring him back at a different price with a new deal.

Gonzalez, 32, his .284 with five home runs and 15 RBIs in 44 games with the Red Sox in 2009. His defense was as good as advertised, as the sure-handed shortstop made just one error in a Boston uniform.

The decision to not pick up Gonzalez’s option leaves the Red Sox currently without a starting shortstop for next season. The young, but oft-injured Jed Lowrie remains the only option within the Red Sox system for now.